Mark Pittman, Staff Contributor
About Me:
B.A. English, University of Texas at Austin, 1992 (two hours short of a double major in Russian). Post-graduate work in Russian Language and Literature in St. Petersburg, Russia, Fall 1992. M.S. Computer Science Engineering, University of North Texas, 1998. Currently a web developer for a national infrastructure installation company based in Dallas, TX. Also the drummer for a fabulous Elvis Costello tribute band called Oliver’s Army (www.oliversarmyband.com).
Favorite Book: Moscow to the End of the Line by Venedikt Erofeev (trans. H.W.Tjalsma) – Hilarious, tragic, fantastic, Russian: what more could you want! Bukowski wishes he could have written an alcoholic memoir this good.
Favorite Movie: Grand Illusion – Some may find its attitude towards war naïve, but watching its characters performing heroic deeds without any fanfare, I always find my faith in the human race restored.
Favorite Album: The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground – I like personal, intimate music and albums where all the songs share a similar sound. This album has both those qualities. It also contains “Beginning to See the Light” which shocked me when I first heard it because it sounded so much like the songs I used to make up as a kid. Needless to say, I never delivered on my early promise.
Favorite Concert: R.E.M. Document tour, Dallas, TX, Moody Collesium, 1987. High energy performance, IRS-era songs, covers of both the Velvet Underground and Syd Barrett, and one of the most beautiful girls in the world by my side. That was a good night!
Favorite Image: Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket by James Whistler – Every time I walk by an unfamiliar book or CD and do a double-take at its cover, it’s always of this painting. If anyone cares to see a visual representation of how I view myself, give this painting a look.
Five Albums - Drummers’ Drummers
The Breeders Pod – Britt Walford (aka Shannon Doughton)
The Slits Cut - Budgie
Live Skull Dusted - James Lo
Nits Urk - Rob Kloet
Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand – Paul Thomson
Articles:
November/December 2005
Column: Getting To Know: Robert Pollard
October 2005
Feature: Commune with Jandek
Feature: Being There's Halloween Frightfest
September 2005
Column: Unearthed: Colin Blunstone - One Year
Album Review: The Stooges The Stooges
Album Review: The Stooges Fun House
Book Review: Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock - 1970-1982
August 2005
Album Review: Iggy Pop - A Million in Prizes: The Iggy Pop Anthology
Film Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Film Review: March of the Penguins
DVD Review: The Browning Version
July 2005
Album Review: Brian Eno - Another Day On Earth
Album Review: Kraftwerk - Minimum-Maximum
DVD Review: The Phantom Of Liberty
Concert Review: Spoon (with The Clientele)
June 2005
Album Review: Spoon - Gimmie Fiction
DVD Review: Hoop Dreams
May 2005
Film Review: Melinda and Melinda
April 2005
Concert Review: Elvis Costello & The Imposters
DVD Review: Dinner at Eight
DVD Review: Edison: The Invention of the Movies
DVD Review: To Be or Not To Be
March 2005
Album Review: Sparkwood - Jalopy Pop!!!
February 2005
Feature: Memory Lane: Remembering Elliott Smith
October 2004
Album Review: Clinic - Winchester Cathedral
Album Review: Guided by Voices - Half Smiles of the Decomposed
